EVGA Xr1 Capture Device, Certified For Obs, Usb 3.0, 4K Pass Through, Argb, Audio Mixer

Product Information

Whether you're gaming on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or the last-gen consoles, the XR1 is perfectly capable of being a good quality stream tool. It can't match the true titans of the space, like the AVerMedia Live Gamer Bolt, but for streamers especially, it's very good. It can pass through video at 60 FPS at up to 4K resolution, while simultaneously capturing at 1080p60, which is what you want for streaming to services like Twitch. Nintendo also plans to offer bundles that have been available before, like the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch Lite.

Capturing in 1080p was headache-free, and the footage looked serviceable. Problems arose with the 1440p and 4K passthrough (with and without HDR). It was in constant conflict with the monitor forcing us to shy away from the APT switch. The EVGA XR1 is in a crowded space. There's no shortage of USB capture cards, likewise in the same price range. In fact, the only external capture cards that the XR1 isn't competing against are Elgato and AVerMedia's highest-end offerings. It features an APT (Advance Pass Through) button on the dial that'll let you toggle between 1440p/120fps passthrough and 1080p 60fps capture on the fly without needing to swap cables or force you to change the display settings on your gaming PC when you're not streaming. To truly use this capture card to its full potential, you need a 4K-ready console, 4K monitor with HDR support (not cheap), and a PC beefy enough to edit 4K HDR footage (really not cheap). Let’s not even get into the amount of bandwidth required to upload 4K video, let alone stream it.Beginning with the original XR1 (the subject of this review), this USB 3.0 device is capable of 1080/60 capture, 4K/60 passthrough, and, of some interest, an “advanced pass through mode” supporting high refresh rate displays. The USB-C cable connects the XR1 to your computer, which is great for laptops with limited connectivity. EVGA doesn’t list any strict system requirements, but it should work fine on most PCs from the last few years (a dedicated graphics card is best). RECentral 4 software can have problems when left open but not in use for long periods of time. The audio and visual information become distorted but are immediately fine again when restarting the program. It’s never happened while the software has been in active use or during streaming so has never felt like a problem that inhibited performance. So where does that leave the XR1? The most obvious competitor is the Elgato HD60S+. Like the XR1 it can handle 4K pass-through but also capture, albeit at 30 FPS. It does have some gremlins with HDCP, and it's more expensive and requires specialist drivers.

Another thing that isn't very good on the XR1 is the cable that comes in the box. For one, it has two USB-A connectors on it, with the intention of using both for the best performance (and, it seems, the 120Hz 'pass through' mode). Why? This isn't necessary, because I'm using a high-quality Razer USB-C cable, getting maximum performance and all features, and freeing up one USB port on my PC. The Elgato 4K60 S+ is the capture card of the future... that we aren’t quite ready for yet. It provides some of the best-looking screenshots and videos around, assuming you have the hardware that can handle your high-quality media. Still, the capture market is yet to catch up to the fidelity the 4K60 S+ can deliver. Best capture card FAQ Why do I need a capture card if I just use OBS?Instead, Windows forces the resolution to 4K. While this is usable on a 1440p monitor, it is far from ideal. The only other resolutions offered in Settings are 1920x1080 and lower. Fortunately, there is a workaround. We were able to use the NVIDIA Control Panel to create a custom 2560x1440 60Hz resolution, apply it, and retained the ability to capture footage at 1080p60. This still uses a 3840x2160 signal though so the image sharpness is ever so slightly soft. Most capture cards are built for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, which have a higher resolution and frame rate compared to the Switch. Because of that, you don’t need to worry too much about specs when choosing a Nintendo Switch capture card. After verifying 1080p recording at 60 fps, pay attention to things like SD card recording, bundled software, and minimum system specifications. Elgato's HD60 X offers the best combination of performance and price, which gives it the edge on this list. The HD60 X is essentially a follow-up to the HD60 S+, a capture card that was on this list until we tested the HD60 X. The HD60 X is a sleek and compact external capture card that can capture video in 4K resolution at 30fps. If you want a faster frame rate in your recordings, you can also choose to record in 1080p at 60fps. The Signal HD60 is perfect for streaming newbies, as the setup is practically idiot-proof. We love its discreet, travel-friendly design. More importantly, it plays well with consoles, for the most part. If you want to feature in-game voice chats in your steams, that'll require creative solutions (and a cheap cable). That convenience is what makes the EVGA XR1 stand out, and it shows up in other places. The card comes with an audio mixer knob on board, for example, and you can customize the ARGB lights surrounding it to show your mic volume, stream volume, and more, all without touching any software. Additionally, the XR1 is certified for OBS and doesn’t require a driver. Simply hook everything up, and you’re good to go. It’s worth noting that although the XR1 is certified for OBS, you can use it with XSplit, Streamlabs OBS, or any other broadcasting software.